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Staff News & Notes - Week of January 25, 2010
Hi,
I know that things look as challenging as ever to keep a positive attitude and approach to delivering quality 4-H Youth Development programming in Ohio. There is not a week that has gone by in the last three months that I have heard through formal or informal Extension channels that county funding for one Extension office or another has been reduced or eliminated. I applaud the efforts of the people in the personnel and fiscal side of our organization who have dealt daily with these challenges. County Extension Directors, Regional Directors, the Business Office, and our Director have kept the dialogue open with County Commissioners and local Extension Clientele to explore possible alternative solutions.
In some cases the efforts of Extension Professionals have resulted in a turn-around of the fortunes, and budgets have not been reduced as much as originally thought, and in some counties, the funding has even been partially restored. In other cases, the efforts are on-going, with the increased involvement of Extension clientele to assist in the process. For example, there is a state-wide effort this week of many Extension volunteer supporters to learn better how to campaign for a levy, should that be the next viable option for Extension funding.
It is truly a time that we must speak with “one voice” as we move to the future. County Extension Professionals and the Extension clientele throughout the state must understand the policies, procedures, and guidelines of our organization. State Extension Specialists and Extension Administration must be fully aware of the county environment and the implications of administrative decisions. This is most difficult in an organization as diverse, complex and large as Ohio State University Extension.
The key is communication. We must communicate as much as we can to fully understand our situations and move forward. If there is something that we do not fully understand, we need to ask clarification questions. If there is something with which we disagree, we must voice our concern with viable alternatives.
I know that you have heard this “communication” sermon before, but it is the best thing that we can do. Sometimes I have delivered the same message in multiple methods to the same group of folks, yet I receive a question from one of them that I know I have answered. I get frustrated. But I need to realize that people have multiple personal and professional distractions, and it sometimes takes several efforts at that communication before the message is received.
I would guess that some of you would say the same about me. You have shared issues and situations that perhaps I have not attempted to address. Keep in mind that I might not have received your message yet. I have personal and professional distractions too, so keep trying.
Stay positive, communicate as much as you can, and make 2010 the best possible, given the circumstances beyond our control.
Thanks for what you do.
Tom
4-H Professional's Inservice - February 1, 2010
Registration will close tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2010.
Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
Check your e-mail for registration information.
For more details, contact Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@cfaes.osu.edu.
In-service Input Requested
An “Administration Q&A will take place, following lunch at next week’s 4-H professionals’ in-service. Keith Smith and Tom Archer will be present to answer questions. If you would prefer to ask a question anonymously, you may write it down and leave it in the marked box at registration or you may submit it in advance to one of the following committee members:
Julie Dalzell – dalzell.1@osu.edu
Becky Barker – barker.157@osu.edu
David Crawford – crawford.228@osu.edu
The Public Nature of Social Networking Sites
We and our clients need to remember the PUBLIC nature of information shared on social networking systems such as Facebook and Twitter. It is easy for personal comments to be read by unintended readers, to be misperceived, and then the damage is done. Please feel free to share this reminder in your newsletters.
The 4-H Cloverbud Program and Competition
Do you ever wonder why the 4-H Cloverbud program does not include competitive activities as we do with older youth in 4-H? Well it is all about being age appropriate and focusing on our overall goal of healthy development by advancing life skills. As a result, 4-H Cloverbud children are engaged in activities that are noncompetitive without setting-up categories or classes that create inequities. Children have a difficult time understanding winning and losing. Feeling and fact are often merged and especially when children lose they relate negative feelings to their self-worth. Competition is usually connected to external awards/approval and in these settings they begin to define themselves extrinsically which is a weak foundation for their developing self-concepts. Cloverbud children in noncompetitive activities are more likely to develop confidence, creativity, and competence than do children in competitive situations. This information can be useful to share with your 4-H volunteers. If you have questions or want to know more about this topic let me know (Scott Scheer) at scheer.9@osu.edu
Youth Travel Opportunities with Ohio 4-H
Ohio youth with a desire to learn about other cultures can travel the globe through Ohio 4-H! We’ll offer 1-month international exchange programs to Australia, Costa Rica and Norway during summer 2010. Each adult-chaperoned program allows youth to stay with a local host family and explore the culture and language first-hand. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 27, although it will be extended if spots are still available. Dates and prices vary by country and scholarships of at least $600 are offered to all selected participants. If you have any interested youth I’d be happy to answer questions and guide them through the process. Please see www.ohio4h.org/youth/international or contact Mary Lynn at thalheimer.1@osu.edu for details. Thanks for helping get the word out about these unique educational opportunities!
Openings on Curriculum Committee
If you have an interest in helping to improve Ohio 4-H curriculum, please consider applying for a position on the Ohio 4-H Curriculum Committee. Immediate openings exist now for representatives from these EERAs: Buckeye Hills, Heart of Ohio, Maumee Valley, Miami Valley, and Western Reserve, and we anticipate further “changing of the guard” next fall with openings in Crossroads and Erie Basin. The group meets three times a year to discuss and review new titles, titles for discontinuation, and efforts underway. A description of committee responsibilities is available online at www.ohio4h.org/staff/resources.html. If you would like more information or have specific questions, contact Jane Wright, Curriculum Manager, at wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu or 614.292.0909. To apply, please send (email ok) a letter of interest to Vicki Schwartz, Associate State Leader, at schwartz.4@cfaes.osu.edu.
2010 Counselor College
Canter's Cave 4-H Camp
The 2010 Counselor College at Canter's Cave 4-H Camp will be March 20 and 21 this year. This counselor training program will provide at least 15 hours of training for participants. The cost is $35.00 until March 9th and then it goes to $40. The program is organized by years of experience so it’s a great opportunity for first years to get the basics and tenured counselors to build their skills and learn great things to bring back to your camp from the other county participants. For registration materials contact Cassie Turner at turner.280@osu.edu or go to meigs.osu.edu to download.
Operation: Military Kids is Recruiting Camp Counselors
Please help us promote the following Operation: Military Kids residential camp counseling opportunities to your camp counselors and 4-H alumni. Our minimum age is 15; we welcome college students and young adults, and we are not limited to 4-H members. This is a perfect opportunity for camp counselors who are looking for a new challenge. They will get to be part of providing the “experience of a lifetime” for youth who have a family member serving in the military. As one of last year’s counselors said: “I loved being a counselor last year. It was a whole new experience for me and I loved all the amazing people I met.”
Camp Dates: There are two residential camp opportunities.
Youth Symposium and Leadership Camp – held at Camp Joy (Clarksville, OH), April 9-11, 2010
Camp Kelley’s Island (Kelley’s Island, OH) – August 8 - 13, 2010
The Kelley’s Island camp is actually divided into two sites based on campers’ age. Junior campers (ages 9 to 11) are at Erie County 4-H Camp and Teen campers (ages 12 to 15) are at Camp Patmos, which is a mile down the road.
Selection Process: All interested individuals will complete and submit an application. After receiving your application, you will be contacted to set up a time for an interview with the camp directors. Selection decisions will be made on an on-going basis.
Because we are accepting applications on an on-going basis this year, interested individuals should return the completed application as soon as possible so they do not miss out on this great opportunity. This is a volunteer opportunity, but counselors’ camp costs are covered. More details can be found in the cover letter. The Cover Letter, Position Description, and Application Form can be found at the following site: http://operationmilitarykids.ohio4h.org/programs/camps.html.
Parents very much appreciate the opportunity that their children have to attend this camp. Being a camp counselor is hard work, but the rewards are great. Without our camp counselors, we would not be able to get comments like these from parents:
“I appreciate the great opportunity that my children have had being able to participate in these camps. It is a gift to our family that they will not likely forget.”
“I can't say enough about the quality of this camp. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!!”
“Best program going. Great work and great counselors.
“I have already recommended the camp to two other military families.”
If you have questions, please contact Theresa Ferrari ferrari.8@osu.edu.
Survivor Saturdays and Warrior Weekends
Camp Ohio
CLICK HERE for a brochure of information about "Survivor Saturdays"
and "Warrior Weekends" programs - adventure programs for the young and young-at-heart! These are great opportunities for 4-H teens, school groups, scout troops, office retreats, or just about anyone! Please print a few front-to-back copies of the brochure and share it around your county! Thank you in advance for your assistance in promoting these programs! Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact Jessica Rockey, paisley10@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu or 4-H Camp Ohio directly.
4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training Registration Deadline
Registrations are due by February 19 for the statewide 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training. The statewide training is Saturday, March 6, at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Older youth who want to serve as Teen Leaders in their 4-H PetPALS clubs may also attend this training. Please refer to the following web site for the 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Job Description and Registration materials: http://4hpetpals.osu.edu/ or email Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu.
4-H Livestock and Companion Animal Judges’ Data Entry Website
The database for entering 2008 and 2009 4-H judges’ names and information is now up and running, thanks to Cindy Maher and Keith Stewart at CommTech. The website to access this data entry is: https://anscijudges.cfaes.ohio-state.edu. The username and password were sent to the 4-H professionals’ listserv on Thursday, January 21. Please refer to that email for the username and password.
All data must be entered by 5:00pm on Monday, February 15 for judges to be included on the judges’ lists. There will be just a short turnaround time to generate the judges’ lists for you. These will be posted on the 4-H Animal Sciences website under the Educator’s password protected site. You will be notified when they are posted.
If you have any questions or problems entering data, please contact Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu or 614.292.7453.
Director for Youth Development Announced
From: Daniel E Kugler
It is my privilege to announce that Dr. Lisa Lauxman will join the National Institute of Food and Agriculture on February 14, 2010 as the Director for Youth Development.
Lisa came to Washington, DC on an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment to the Families, 4-H and Nutrition unit of CSREES (now NIFA) in December 2008 from the University of Arizona. As an IPA, Lisa has provided leadership and oversight for the Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CFYAR) program including grants, project management and professional development. She has given leadership to national 4-H Youth Development programming efforts and strategies for traditionally underserved populations, including urban settings. She has also had responsibility for partnership strategies for youth programming efforts with 1890 and 1994 institutional partners, and assisted with the coordination and leadership for 4-H youth and family military programs and curriculum.
Lisa grew up on a dairy farm as a 4-H member in Dickinson County, Kansas. Her education and professional experiences are tied to two land-grant institutions: Kansas State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in home economics extension and the University of Arizona, where she earned a master’s and doctorate in educational psychology. Lisa also has masters in business administration from Emporia State University. With nearly 29 years of experience in two different states and at 4-H National Headquarters, Lisa has been involved with the 4-H Youth Development at the county, state, and national level. Prior to her IPA assignment, she served as the special assistant for outreach and engagement to the Director of Cooperative Extension at the University of Arizona and as curriculum coordinator, 4-H Youth Development.
Please join me in welcoming Lisa to NIFA. She can be reached at llauxman@nifa.usda.gov.
4-H Relief Efforts for Haiti
Staff at National 4-H Council has been hearing amazing stories about the endeavors of our national 4-H community to assist with relief efforts for Haiti. For that reason, we have created a discussion board on our national 4-H Facebook page to help the 4-H community to connect, facilitate discussion surrounding these great efforts and help others to find out how they too can get involved. If you are leading an effort to assist in Haiti relief, feel free to post your activities on the new discussion thread so others can join in or duplicate your efforts in their own locale.
The 4-H Facebook page already has more than 67,000 active participants and has proven to be a simple way to connect our 4-H community online and to nationally aggregate our great efforts. If you are not yet a FAN of the page, why not join, it’s easy. Just log onto http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=14340&uid=63489887485 to add in your ideas and connect with 4-H’ers, staff and alumni all around the nation.
Auglaize County 4-H Leadership Banquet
Monday, March 1, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.
Auglaize County Fairgrounds
RSVP by February 15th - 419-738-2219
